If you look closely at my hands you’ll see scratches, puppy nips, a few age spots, and some small scars. That’s what you’ll see. What you won’t see are the ones from lies, accusations, betrayal, and rejection. Those are the scars I usually keep hidden.
Why?
Because scar exposure is risky. Revealing our worst scars gives people the opportunity to judge whether or not we deserve them.
I often wonder why we’re so quick to judge one another. Why we feel the need to ask:
- if a person with lung cancer was a smoker.
- if the accident victim was texting.
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Knowing my purpose makes decisions easier.
Have you defined your purpose? Your mission statement? Your reason for getting out of bed and doing whatever it is you do?
Rick Warren said the following in The Purpose Driven Life:
“The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people for thousands of years. That’s because we typically begin at the wrong starting point—ourselves. We ask self-centered questions like What do I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future? But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose.”
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Live well, laugh often, love much . . . three short phrases from the poem Success, by Bessie Anderson Stanley written in 1904.
Live . . . well!
Do something you love. Do what you love with someone you enjoy. Do everything to the best of your ability.
Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light. Live as children who have light. Light produces everything that is good, that has God’s approval, and that is true. Ephesians 5:8-9
“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can.
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As my fingers start to move across the keyboard, my eyes are filled with tears but there’s still a smile on my face. That’s what happens when I think about my mom.
It’s been five years since I’ve been able to celebrate Mother’s Day with her, and I still miss her like crazy.
My mom, like so many moms, was chauffeur, cook, housekeeper, laundress, counselor, painter (walls as well as canvas), gardener, nurse, teacher, party planner, nutritionist, beautician, and decorator. She was also a fabulous hostess, a voracious reader, and a talented seamstress. She could even shoot straight and scare away those critters brave enough to invade her garden and munch on her labors.
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I’ve read Psalm 145 dozens of times, but the other day it grabbed my attention like never before.
King David – giant killer, warrior, adulterer, murderer . . . and “man after God’s own heart.”
Let’s take a closer look at his words:
I will exalt You, my God and King, and praise Your name forever and ever.
I will praise You every day; yes, I will praise You forever.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure His greatness.v.1-3
“I will” – not I’ll try, but I will. I promise.
“To extol” – the Hebrew word for extol here is ruwm.
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One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from four year old, Billy, who is definitely wise beyond his years.
When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.
Don’t you love it?
“Safe in their mouth.”
Don’t you want your name to be safe in someone’s mouth?
Think about it, when your name is safe….
- No secrets are betrayed.
- No rumors are spread.
- No lies are told.
- No cruelty is spoken.
- No anger is screamed.
- No ___________
You’re safe.
I want everyone I love to know their name is safe with me.
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Several years ago, I was inspired by my friend Mel,
@ Psycho with 6, to change our families gift giving traditions dramatically.
What?! Really?!
How do you get a family to change 20+ years of tradition without a major meltdown?
It was actually quite easy. Our children were grown and our grandchildren were young; so, it seemed like a perfect time for change. Now in its fourth year, this meaningful way of gifting has been embraced with even greater enthusiasm.
The Magi gave the Christ child gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each represented a significant part of Jesus life and ministry:
- Gold – a gift given to royalty.
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